The Saudi National Weather Center released a comprehensive forecast for today, October 31, 2026, foretelling a day of intense thunderstorms, hail, and active winds that would stir dust across several provinces—including Jazan, Asir, Mecca, and Medina—while also forecasting moderate sea waves in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf.
The forecast, issued under the authority of the Saudi National Weather Center, lists thunderstorms with hail as the primary weather pattern expected across the southern and western parts of the country. An informal definition: a storm is a weather event that produces heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The report notes that hail—small frozen pellets that fall from the cloud—could accompany these storms.
In addition to the precipitation, the center highlighted strong surface winds expected to accompany the storms. These winds, moving in a general northern‑west to northern direction in the northern Red Sea region, range from 12 to 35 kilometers per hour, while the middle region experiences 12 to 32 kilometers per hour. In the southern region the winds shift to a southerly‑easterly to eastern orientation, also between 12 and 32 kilometers per hour. The wind speeds are sufficient to stir dust and create a swirling dust effect that can reduce visibility.
Fog is also woken by the rising humidity associated with the storms, especially in the northern sector of the Eastern Region. The report indicated that these fog patches would appear sporadically on various parts of Jazan, Asir, Baha, Mecca, Medina, Hail, Qassim, the northern border, and the north‑eastern parts of the Eastern Province, as well as in the northern section of Al‑Jouf.
Waves associated with the storm system were also noted in the sea areas. In the Red Sea, leading waves are expected to rise from 0.5 to 1.5 meters, with a light to moderate sea condition described up to a 2‑meter wave. The Arabian Gulf is characterized by waves naturally rising from 0.5 to 1 meter, with a light sea state expressed in the data. The wave height corresponds to the consistent ocean swell riding the surface over the calm day.
Mariners operating in the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf are advised that moderate waves and a light sea condition could affect shallow‑water navigation, especially where port loading is occurring. The description of the sea conditions ranges from light to moderate in the Gulf and light in the Red Sea, providing a contextual overview for shipping traffic.
To prepare for the day's weather, transport authorities are expected to issue advisories for road closures and potential disruptions caused by hailstones. The high wind speeds may also affect air traffic, prompting airport operations to monitor the potential for turbulence and runway contamination due to dust accumulation.
Scientists highlight the importance of forecasting such harsh weather in a country with a largely hot and arid climate. The unexpected thunderstorm system illustrates a sudden shift in atmospheric dynamics that influences coastal sea states and inland weather hazards.
Overall, the Saudi National Weather Center’s forecast details a dynamic day for the Kingdom, with thunderstorms, hail, active winds, dust, and moderate waves painting a complex picture of atmospheric activity.
